And thus much as touching the Considerations: the Observations follow,
to be considered in this Powder-Treason, and are briefly thus:
- If the Cellar had not been hired, the Minework could hardly, or not
at all have been discovered; for the Mine was neither found nor suspected
until the Danger was past, and the capital Offenders apprehended,
and by themselves, upon Examination, confessed.
- How the King was divinely illuminated by Almighty God, the only
Ruler of Princes, like an Angel of God, to direct and point as it were
to the very place, to cause a Search to be made there, out of those dark
Words of the Letter concerning a terrible Blow.
- Observe a miraculous Accident which befel in Stephen Littleton's
House, called Holbach, in Staffordshire, after they had been two days in
open Rebellion, immediately before the Apprehension of these Traitors:
For some of them standing by the Fire-side, and having set two pound
and an half of Powder to dry in a Platter before the Fire, and underset
the said Platter with a great Linen Bag full of other Powder, containing
some fifteen or sixteen pounds; it so fell out, that one coming to put
more Wood into the Fire, and casting it on, there flew a Coal into the
Platter, by reason whereof the Powder taking fire and blowing up, scorching
those who were nearest, as Catesby, Grant, and Rokewood, blew up the
Roof of the House; and the Linen-Bag which was set under the Platter
being therewith suddenly carried out thro' the Breach, fell down in the
Court-yard whole and unfired: which if it had took fire in the Room,
would have slain them all there, so that they never should have come to
this Trial: and Lex justior nulla est, quam necis artifices arte perire sua ?
- Note, that Gunpowder was the Invention of a Fryar, one of the
Romish Rabble, as Printing was of a Soldier.
- Observe the sending of Bainham, one of the damned Crew, to the
High-Priest of Rome, to give signification of this Blow, and to crave
his Direction and Aid.
- That for all their stirring and rising in open Rebellion, and
notwithstanding the false Rumours given out by them, That the Throats of
all Catholicks should be cut; such is his Majesty's blessed Government,
and the Loyalty of his Subjects, as they got not any one Man to take
their parts besides their own Company.
- Observe, the Sheriff, the ordinary Minister of Justice, according
to the Duty of his Office, with such Power as he on a sudden by Law
collected, suppressed them.
- That God suffered their intended Mischief to come so near the Period,
as not to be discovered, but within few hours before it should have been executed.
- That it was in the entring of the Sun into the Tropic of Capricorn,
when they began their Mine; noting, that by Mining, they should
descend; and by Hanging, ascend.
- That there never was any Protestant Minister in any Treason and
Murder as yet attempted within this Realm.